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I am seeking information regarding the culture, salary, and benefits of Akerman, LLP in Tampa. As far as I can tell, this firm is not in the NALP directory. I know they are a firm in the top 100, but don't know if their pay and salary is structured the same. Obviously the FL market is generally lower than other markets, but any information anyone has would be helpful!

I used to work in one of the south Florida (Miami/FTL/Boca/WPB) offices.

The culture of the firm is great. It’s not very hierarchical. The firm is very leanly staffed, which means you do a lot more substantive work.

I think South Florida starts at 160 (maybe 170 now). The raises are all over the map. I knew 7th years making 180 and 5th years making 210. The firm is very practice group oriented, so corporate/tax associates got paid a lot more than litigation. Raises are generally 5-10k a year.

I’d assume Tampa starts around the same as the other large firms in the city.

Edit: the firm rarely hires first year associates, so the 7th year making 180 may not be a 7th year at Akerman (she lateraled in her 6th year of practice but she could’ve been considered a second year there).

Anonymous User wrote:I used to work in one of the south Florida (Miami/FTL/Boca/WPB) offices.

The culture of the firm is great. It’s not very hierarchical. The firm is very leanly staffed, which means you do a lot more substantive work.

I think South Florida starts at 160 (maybe 170 now). The raises are all over the map. I knew 7th years making 180 and 5th years making 210. The firm is very practice group oriented, so corporate/tax associates got paid a lot more than litigation. Raises are generally 5-10k a year.

I’d assume Tampa starts around the same as the other large firms in the city.

Edit: the firm rarely hires first year associates, so the 7th year making 180 may not be a 7th year at Akerman (she lateraled in her 6th year of practice but she could’ve been considered a second year there).

Thank you so much for this! This is exactly the type of information I was looking for.

blinkmtt3 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I used to work in one of the south Florida (Miami/FTL/Boca/WPB) offices.

The culture of the firm is great. It’s not very hierarchical. The firm is very leanly staffed, which means you do a lot more substantive work.

I think South Florida starts at 160 (maybe 170 now). The raises are all over the map. I knew 7th years making 180 and 5th years making 210. The firm is very practice group oriented, so corporate/tax associates got paid a lot more than litigation. Raises are generally 5-10k a year.

I’d assume Tampa starts around the same as the other large firms in the city.

Edit: the firm rarely hires first year associates, so the 7th year making 180 may not be a 7th year at Akerman (she lateraled in her 6th year of practice but she could’ve been considered a second year there).

Thank you so much for this! This is exactly the type of information I was looking for.

I haven't worked there but I'll chime in with some secondhand info.

The above poster has it right. I know a few people 3-6 years ago who were hired out of school at Akerman's Miami office but last I checked they had either stopped and moved only to laterals or had dramatically cut the entry-level hiring.

As already states, pay is a bit less and the raises/bonuses can change depending on the firm/location/practice group. Keep in mind though that FL has no state income tax and living expenses in certain FL locations can be very reasonable

I will add that the people I know at South Florida firms in general have said good things about the hours/culture although that can depend largely on the practice+firm.

Good luck

I’m the original anon poster.

I can concur that the firm is “equal” to Holland & Knight and Greenberg in Miami in the eyes of many in Miami. It is generally considered a “lifestyle” firm, though (which may be a positive or negative).

The firm is still a highly sophisticated firm even though it doesn’t have the PPP of the former two.

I remember a partner being concerned that an associate was billing 2100 hours. Many firms would not worry about the wellbeing of an associate billing 2100.

The firm is built to promote people to partnership or other senior positions. It wants associates to succeed. When a partner found out an associate was “overworked” at 2100 hours, he/she took it upon themselves to find help for the associate. FYI, the 2100 included hundreds of pro bono (which isn’t capped at Akerman).

The firm really values associates. Yes, people can say that’s not true given the salary. However, I honestly believe the firm values the limited associates it hires.

I left the firm but I still think highly of the firm. So I may be biased.

Thank you. I was lucky enough to get a telephone interview, and am hoping this turns into something more (its been a day since the interview, which feels like a week ). Crossing my fingers to move forward, as this firm sounds like a great place to be.